Family members of Liu Xiaobo scattered the Nobel Peace Prize laureates ashes into the sea on Saturday in funeral proceedings closely orchestrated by the Chinese government following his death from cancer while in custody. (July 15)

China dismisses criticism over Liu Xiaobos death

Inside Story - How scared is Chinese government of political dissent?

Liu Xiaobo was banned from making speeches, barred from publishing his writings, locked up and left to die in state custody.

Chinas most prominent dissident and only Nobel peace prize winner has been cremated in a private ceremony and his ashes scattered at sea.

He died on Thursday suffering from liver cancer. He was serving an 11-year prison sentence because of his calls for peaceful democratic reforms.

Tributes have poured in world-wide, but there is little mention of him in his own country.

And there are concerns for his wife. Liu Xia was allowed to attend her husbands funeral. But she is unwell after being under house arrest since he became a Nobel laureate seven years ago.